Wayward Entertainment has been featuring episodes from its upcoming anthology series Tales from the Woods as film festival screenings, with an early 2026 streaming launch scheduled. The series presents new fright-fare takes on classic fairy tales. Following are the three episodes screened at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
Jacques the Giant Slayer
Official synopsis
In this dark interpretation of Jack and the Beanstalk, an early 20th century archaeologist makes a profound discovery.
Review
As a fan of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s oeuvre, I was thrilled to see that their installment of Tales from the Woods is an excellent one, elegantly shot and masterfully helmed, with fantastic looking set design, period costumes, and creature design. Moorhead stars as archaeologist Jacques, who is determined to find evidence of Gigantopithecus. Up the beanstalk he goes, finding an armless giant (Benson) who he thinks fits the discovery bill. From here, the story takes a wicked turn from the classic children’s version, delivering a highly satisfying, macabre climax.
The Sleeping Beauty
Official synopsis
The wife of a colonial governor confronts devastation after her aristocratic son removes a slumbering woman from an ancient temple in the jungles of Laos — only to bring home a curse that refuses to die.
Review
Laotian American director Mattie Do serves up a morbid variation on the Sleeping Beauty tale that doesn’t shy away from perversity, nor from social commentary regarding colonization. A colonial governor’s son in Laos becomes enchanted by this version of the titular woman, but she is dead and even in that state threatens to be a danger to the village. Necrophilia and dark forces are just some of the disturbing elements in this installment, which offers fine direction and many jaw-droppingly gruesome scenes. Sonedala Sihavong, Phonesavanh “Tata” Phimpha, Gabriel Soutphilabaideng, and Sivilay Ouanephongchareune all check in with fine performances.
Cinderella
Official synopsis
A planet ravaged by toxins. A kingdom ruled by fear. Cinderella makes a pact with the haunted woods to meet the Prince and to bring retribution to his fortress.
Review
This Cinderella variation by director Adam Egypt Mortimer finds Cinderella (Zolee Griggs) decidedly at odds against the prince (Miles Robbins), who here is a despotic ruler of a kingdom set in a dystopian future. The search for the owner of the iconic glass slipper — which has a dangerous design in this version — offers some body horror. The color palette of the red-hued, poisoned world and the imaginative costumes are just two of the visual delights on display.
Tales from the Woods screened as part of Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2025, which took place from October 16–25 at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg.
